title: The Swedish version of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS)--a psychometric evaluation study in women with hirsutism and nursing students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a short instrument, developed to assess perceived social support. The original English version has been widely used. The original scale has demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in different settings, but no validated Swedish version has been available. The aim was therefore to translate, adapt and psychometrically evaluate the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support for use in a Swedish context.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total 281 participants accepted to join the study, a main sample of 127 women with hirsutism and a reference sample of 154 nursing students. The MSPSS was translated and culturally adapted according to the rigorous official process approved by WHO. The psychometric evaluation included item analysis, evaluation of factor structure, known-group validity, internal consistency and reproducibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The original three-factor structure was reproduced in the main sample of women with hirsutism. An equivalent factor structure was demonstrated in a cross-validation, based on the reference sample of nursing students. Known-group validity was supported and internal consistency was good for all scales (α = 0.91-0.95). The test-retest showed acceptable to very good reproducibility for the items (κw = 0.58-0.85) and the scales (ICC = 0.89-0.92; CCC = 0.89-0.92).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Swedish version of the MSPSS is a multidimensional scale with sound psychometric properties in the present study sample. The simple and short format makes it a useful tool for measuring perceived social support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Örebro and School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, SE 70185, Sweden. maria.palmetun-ekback@orebroll.se.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ekbäck
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benzein
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Kristofer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arestedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult